Research explores role of mutations in Alzheimer's

A study in the journal Neuron pinpointed two rare genetic mutations that apparently stimulate buildup of beta amyloid, which is linked to Alzheimer's disease. Using strains of transgenic mice, researchers located the mutations in the ADAM10 gene, which codes for generation of an enzyme that plays a role in processing the precursor to amyloid. They also found that diminished activity of ADAM10 hinders the generation of new hippocampus neurons.